South Africa’s uncomfortably high crime rate is directly related to a burgeoning prison population, but there's more to it than that.

South African prisons are grossly overpopulated and are failing to address mental health issues.

This is according to the latest report by the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) which conducted a survey in 81 out of the country’s 243 correctional centres during the 2017/18 financial year. Their findings contradict statements made by the spokesperson of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) Singabakho Nxumalo.

The JICS report states that Eastern Cape prisons are 57% overcrowded. Correctional facilities in Gauteng and the Western Cape are 48% and 45% overcrowded, respectively. The DCS, however, argues that these figures are inflated and that national overcrowding sits at 38%.

Either way, the prison system in South Africa is struggling in more ways than one; overcrowding forms the dubious foundation for most of these persistent issues.

Overcrowding in South African prisons

Obviously, South Africa’s uncomfortably high crime rate is directly related to a burgeoning prison population. Yet, the prison system’s failure to adequately rehabilitate offenders has resulted in a vicious cycle whereby most criminals return to prison after being released.

Nxumalo confirmed that this was the most debilitating issue facing South Africa’s clogged up judicial system and overcrowded correctional facilities. Speaking to 702 Talk Radio, Nxumalo said:

“We can bring as many new centres as possible, but that will not solve the problem at the end of the day. Why are people committing the crimes that they do?

A number of ex-inmates find it hard to adjust [once they have been released]. Quite a number of communities don’t want to accept them back. So we call on society and say; please give them a second chance in life.”

Mental health issues in the South African prison system

The JICS noted that inmates suffering from mental health issues have been lumped into the general prison population while awaiting trial or transfer. The organisation bemoaned the cruel treatment of these inmates, arguing that the DCS was not equipped to deal with mental health issues. This, the organisation says, is to blame for the increase in unnatural deaths reported by correctional services.

In the 2016/17 financial year, at least 40% of these deaths were suicides. The JICS reported stated:

“It has been previously reported by JICS that the circumstances regarding state patients were not acceptable. Their interim accommodation in prison, pending their transfer, is considered cruel and inhumane.

It is clear that numerous inmates in our correctional centres suffer from mental illness and DCS is not equipped to deal with them.”